Day 01-03: February Calligraphy Challenge

I'm so happy that I finally joined my first lettering challenge for this year! Honestly, up until now, I haven't really found a new challenge to join with. I still prefer the wonderful team of Ida, Tyra & Chrystal who created the @happyletteringchallenge. 

And because it's the February, the daily prompts are all about love! Here are the daily words for the whole month.

So here are my first 3 days of the challenge of #HappyLetteringChallenge.

Day 01 - Kiss

Day 02 - Unity

Day 03 - Care

WRMK Alphabet Punch Board: Thank you, The Crafters Marketplace!

This is probably one of every crafters dream, to win a crafting tool especially if it's from We R Memory Keepers.

October last year, I joined a giveaway by The Crafters Marketplace. The prize was supposedly a WRMK Mini Alphabet Punch Board but as the item was about to be shipped, I was given a chance to choose whether I'd like to have the mini or the bigger one - and I choose the latter.

the back of the package

When I got the packaged, I never thought it would be heavy and this big; the measurement including the packaging is 12x10 inches, and the tool itself is 11.25x7.25 inches, definitely bigger than your regular textbook. It is also quite heavy as expected because of the metal for two puncher mechanism attached on the board.

this is how it looked like under the ABC Punch Board

Now let's check what's included on the package.

The We R Memory Keepers Alphabet Punch Board includes:

🗸 The ABC Punch Board - this where all the measurement, cutting, and punching done to form your plain paper into an alphabet of your choice.

🗸  Blade - used to cut your 3x5 inches paper by sliding it through it's cutting guide.

🗸  Instruction Manual - this booklet contains guides for each alphabet and numbers, including exclamation point and ampersand. This instruction booklet can also be downloaded for free from the Android or Apple App Store.

Instruction Booklet

step-by-step guide on how to punch an alphabet

I tried a few letters to punch and as promised on my giveaway entry, I punched my daughter's name, IZZA. 

This punch board is perfect for creating banners, paper crafting, and more. There also a few projects you can do with this ABC Punch Board which is not limited to alphabets and numbers only. I was able to make a bow and punched a 3" circle from this tool. I will soon make a short post on how I did it. So watch out for it!

And to my giveaway sponsor, The Crafters Marketplace, thank you so much for picking me to house this lovely WRMK tool. I'll make sure to use it and create more craft projects that my daughter will surely enjoy! Thank you!

Quick Stop at Miniso

I finally had a chance to visit Miniso when I was in Cebu for the holidays and satisfied my curiosity on "what's inside" their store.

The moment I went in I noticed how bright their store is and I was amazed on how neatly organized their shelves are according to categories. I also like the minimalist appeal of their products which made me feel I'm in Tokyo.

So I looked over and see if I can find something to give for Christmas. Luckily I have found some for my friend, cousin, daughter, and of course, for my self.

Miniso Haul

Miniso Micro Particles Building Blocks - We Bare Bears (Php179), Panda (Php99), and Violin (Php149)

This is the tiniest blocks I've ever seen!

Minio Loose-Leaf Book / Planner - Php99 each

Miniso Planner Stickers - 2 for Php99

There are 6 Sheets per pack, If I only knew I would've gotten a different design for the other one.

Miniso Adhesive Hook - Php99

Miniso Magic Slimming Massager - Php99

At this point, there were only a few stocks left on some of their items. I would've anted to get wallets and pouches too but there were only a few design to choose from. I'll just check on Miniso again the next time we'll be back in Cebu.

Happy Mail + November Craft Haul: Happy Me!

Thank heavens for Manilenya friends, and more thankful for this Manilenya "Crafter" friend who understands my craziness with craft stuff!

A few weeks ago, we were planning to shop online at AliExpress with washi tapes, clear stamps, and die cuts (for her). However, it didn't push through because of the payment option - we still prefer PayPal. *wink*

Until one day, she told me that Landmark has washi tapes, stickers, and tin cans; just like the ones found in AliExpress. And the rest, my dear friends, is history. *happy dance*

Let's take a look at my haul slash happy mail I got yesterday.

This is what's in the parcel - a mix of stickers, washi tapes, and tin cans. I just love everything about them, things like these make me happy! ^_^

Craft Haul and Happy Mail from Metro Manila

⇢ The Happy Mail ⇠

Hurray for the Happy Mail!!!

Let's start off with the goodies that made this parcel extra special. This amazing Happy Mail from my Manilenya friend, Tracy, made my heart beat so fast that I almost forgot about the Landmark items, instead, I gushed over those items coming from her.

She also included those from her online shop, Scrap Stash, which are the iron-on vinyl and a mini kit that can be used for a scrapbook, card-making, or planner. She also included a tin can, clear stamp, stickers, washi sampler, postcard, and watercolor tube. See, you know why it's called a Happy Mail! ^_^

Items from Scrap Stash

"Love to Blog" Iron-On Vinyl Sticker | Scrap Stash

Cats and Dogs Mini Kit | Scrap Stash

More goodies from Tracy! Yay!

⇢ My November Craft Haul ⇠

Craft Haul for November

Now, in this corner, let's talk about this cuteness overload craft haul. First off, I want to thank Tracy for purchasing these for me. If only I still live in Manila, you know we will definitely frequent Landmark together just for stuff like this! And thank you, Landmark, for having these in your Department Store, you just made our life easier! Right, Tracy?! Lol!

So, what's included in my November Haul? Well, aside from the stickers that will be used for my Planner, I also bought Washi tapes! Take note, it's just only now that I hoarded washi tapes because they're very affordable! And not to mention those shabby and vintage tin cans; looks like my love for tin cans is back!

Oh, let's not forget about the nibs from The Crafters Marketplace for my calligraphy and the mini vase that will be used for watercolors too. Love 'em all!

Molang Sticker at Php44.75 and Vanilla Days Sticker at Php39.75 | Landmark

(each contains 6 sticker sheet)

Shabby Round Tin Cans at Php29.75 each | Landmark

Vintage Mini Tin Can at Php24.75 | Landmark

Washi Tapes at Php69.75 each | Landmark

(1 box has 2 different designs of washi tapes)

Washi Tapes at Php14.75 each | Landmark

Hiro Leonard No.41 Calligraphy Nib at Php90.00 each | The Crafters Marketplace

Mini Vase at Php35.00 | Alturas

There you go!

Thanks again, Tracy! Love everything you sent me! *wink*

Discovering Colleen Poster Color in Gold and Silver

Never have I thought that I will work with Colleen again. But time came and we're here doing artworks together. If you're a 90s kid like me, you probably know who or what I'm talking about.

 Colleen is a well-known brand of colored pencil; my mom's favorite actually. Whenever we buy school supplies she would always want me to get Colleen colored pencils. And if I remember correctly, I had those with dual color, like a twin tip. Nostalgic! That's why I'm glad that after several years, I'm using Colleen once again through these poster colors.

So why did I bought these?

Well, I got these poster colors as an alternative for shimmering watercolors for my calligraphy. Instead of buying Kuretake Gansai Tambi STARRY PEARL Colors Set and the likes, I bought these poster colors to see if I'm going to be comfortable working with glittery or shimmering paints for my lettering. And since I'm not familiar with using such paints, I don't want to spend that much and regret buying expensive shimmering paints in the end.

Thankfully and surprised, I stumbled upon these amazing poster colors from Colleen - gold and silver. I thought they were all just about colored pencils! However, knowing it's from Colleen, I thought these poster colors were expensive; but they're not! Would you believe that this 20mL poster color costs Php38.50 only? Yes, happy pocket indeed! *grin*

Now let's talk about the poster color.

Since this is my first time to work with metallic paints, I really have no standard for comparison. But as expected, coming from a known and established brand, the gold and silver are bright and luminous. The pigment dries smoothly and catches the light when you move the paper. The opacity can be easily adjusted by controlling the use of water.

This can also give a luminous effect when mixed with your choice of watercolor before using it and it could also be used as an accent on your watercolor artwork. If you're going to use it with a dip pen for calligraphy, I suggest that you add more water so the paint will flow smoothly from the nib down to the paper.

Just a little reminder though to shake well or mix well before use because the gold and silver pigment settles at the bottom when not in use; it's about 30% liquid and 70% pigment.

Overall, I love how it performs. I'm good with them and have no plans of buying a shiny watercolor as of the moment. I will play with these for now and see how far I can go with these poster colors.

In addition to my collection, looks like I'm going to look for the white poster color too. Hopefully, I could find one ASAP!  *grin*

October Mini Haul: Colors and Ceramics

I don't often buy craft stuff but whenever I chance upon National Book Store or any office supplies store I'd always look for something that I could use for my calligraphy and planner. And this month's mini haul is just one example of it.

I mentioned before that I was planning to buy a new watercolor that will give me a nice finish than the one that I'm currently using. But then, while I was in a small department store near CL's school, I saw this cheap watercolor tube set and bought it right away. The price is reasonable enough for me to try them because it wouldn't hurt my pocket if it wouldn't live up to my expectation. I also found poster colors that could be the best substitute for shimmer watercolors that looks so promising because it came from a very famous color brand, Colleen - and mind you, they're also cheap! I also didn't forget to buy my daughter's favorite brand of pencil, Faber-Castell. And of course, I indulge my love for stickers. Lol!

But what excites me the most from this haul were the ceramic ware. I got a very nice leaf soy dish, perfect for Fall, and an egg tray! Yay! I've been seeing ceramic egg trays on Instagram online shops and been wanting to have one; I'm really glad that I finally got one for myself now. Hopefully, the small department store here will have an egg tray by 6s. Now I have a new palette and water cup for my watercolor - yes, they're for my watercolors! *grin*

So here it is, I'm sharing with you my mini October haul together with their prices to give you an idea of how much I purchased these arts and crafts stuff. Enjoy!

Monet Watercolour Paints in 12ml Tubes - Php159.75

Colleen Poster Colors in Silver and Gold

Colleen Poster Color in Gold - Php38.50 

 Colleen Poster Color in Silver - Php38.50

Faber-Castell Pencil in No. 1 and 2 - Php19.75 each pack

2 Somssi 'Thank You' Decoration Sticker - Php19.00 each

Ceramic Leaf Soy Dish - Php32.00

Ceramic Egg Tray - Php95.00